Nothing ruins your day quite like a toothache. It makes it hard to focus on doing just about anything else because it hurts so badly. You just want to know why it even happens in the first place. A dentist is here to talk about the top 10 reasons behind your tooth pain.
10. Orthodontic Adjustment
It’s completely normal for you to feel a dull ache when your braces, retainers, or aligners are adjusted, but this should only last a few days. If your discomfort goes on for longer, contact your orthodontist.
9. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When a wisdom tooth is impacted, that means it has failed to break through the gum line. Sometimes this results in it pushing against your other teeth and causing pain. Your dentist may recommend surgery to remove the impacted teeth.
8. Aggressive Brushing
Many of us mistakenly brush too forcefully, thinking that will make our teeth cleaner. Actually, brushing too hard can wear down your enamel and cause sensitivity. Make sure to only use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Think of brushing as more like polishing an eggshell, instead of scrubbing teeth.
7. Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition where you grind or clench your teeth. Usually we don’t notice this because it most often happens when we’re asleep. If you wake up with tooth or jaw pain, ask your dentist to examine you for signs of bruxism. He or she can then prescribe you a nightguard to wear to stop this habit.
6. Damaged Filling
If you have a filling in the grooves of your molar, it protects that sensitive area of the tooth from food particles, bacteria, and extreme temperatures. When the filling is damaged, the part of the tooth is no longer protected, and may result in pain. Ask your dentist if your filling needs to be redone.
5. Sensitivity to Heat and Cold
You may have sensitive teeth if you experience discomfort after consuming a very hot or cold food or beverage. This might be a result of recent tooth whitening, or it could mean your enamel has worn down and exposed the sensitive underlying layer of dentin, where the tooth’s nerves lie. Use toothpaste made for sensitive teeth to alleviate your pain.
4. Fractures
If your tooth has been chipped or cracked, whether due to an injury or simply biting down too hard, you should get it checked out. When pain occurs in an injured tooth, that means the fracture has spread to the sensitive inner layer of the tooth. Your dentist may need to put a filling or crown over your tooth to protect it.
3. Gum Disease
If you go long enough without brushing or flossing, your gums may become inflamed, tender, and sore, and it may cause tooth pain. Be sure to brush and floss every day to prevent this.
2. Tooth Abscess
When tooth decay spreads to the nerve inside the tooth, it can result in excruciating pain. Talk to your dentist as soon as possible. You may need root canal therapy to relieve your pain and save the tooth from being lost in the future.
And the number one reason for a toothache is…
1. Cavities
Nothing causes a toothache more often than good old-fashioned decay. Cavities typically only cause pain when they reach the dentin layer of the tooth. It’s important to get it filled before it spreads to the center of the tooth and causes an infection in the nerve.
If you’re experiencing any kind of discomfort in your teeth, you should contact your dentist first and foremost. If you’re anxious about visiting your dentist, ask if they offer sedation to soothe your fears.
About the Practice
At Flenniken Family Dentistry, we provide patient-centered care to everyone who walks through the doors of our Carlisle, PA office. Drs. Neil Flenniken and Suzan Rismani-Flenniken and their team are highly qualified, speak multiple languages, and offer a variety of skills to treat as many of your dental problems as we can under one roof. If you have a toothache, don’t hesitate to contact us at (717)-249-7777.
